The Bay Ridge Av station on the  line in Brooklyn is scheduled to close on Saturday, April 29, as MTA New York City Transit moves forward on the second of more than 30 subway stations undergoing major renovations as part of its “Enhanced Station Initiative” to modernize and reimage subway stations.

It is one of three  stations along Fourth Avenue in Brooklyn to temporarily close in both directions to accommodate the extensive overhaul of all station components – from new entrances with canopies and electronic display screens to new platform features such as brighter lighting, better wayfinding, and benches or leaning bars.

MTA New York City Transit is using a single-contractor design-build method to cut construction time and save money. The MTA is spending $72 million on the renovations at Bay Ridge Av, 53 St, and Prospect Av  stations.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority plans to overhaul more than 30 stations across the subway system to bring modern amenities to stations, some that are more than a century old, and to redesign them for better wayfinding and customer flow.  

“We are expediting the entire construction process to allow us to completely overhaul stations to minimize the time customers are inconvenienced by ongoing construction,” said NYCT Acting President Darryl Irick. “By giving contractors full access to the stations, we give them the ability to better coordinate crews, work more efficiently and more quickly. We are putting the onus on the contractor to get the work done seamlessly and on time using the best industry practices available to them.”

The three Brooklyn subway stations are scheduled to close for the renovations for six months each as follows:  

Bay Ridge Av  will close on Saturday, April 29, for six months. The 53 St  station previously closed on March 27, and the Prospect Av  station will close on June 5.

During the Bay Ridge Av  closure, customers can use the nearby 77 St  station or the 59 St  station by taking the B9, B37, or B63 buses. The B9 bus stop is in front of the Bay Ridge Av  station, or customers can walk one block to Third Avenue for the B37 (days/evenings only) or to Fifth Avenue at Senator Street for the B63 (all hours). We will closely monitor these alternative routes and make service adjustments if needed.

The renovations include infrastructure work such as concrete and steel repairs; new platform edges; waterproofing; upgraded electrical and communications systems; track wall and platform wall repairs; new granite flooring; new stair finishes; glass barriers in station mezzanines; new LED lighting; and improved station signage.

Station entrances:

All entrances will be refurbished and receive new handrails, stair treads, wall tiles, totems and digital screens providing real-time service information at the street level before customers enter the station.  Canopies will be installed at select key entrances.

Turnstile areas:

Walls and ceilings will be repaired, and new granite flooring, informational dashboards and glass barriers will be installed.

Mezzanines and platforms:

LED light fixtures for brighter, more secure areas will be installed, along with security cameras and Help Point Intercoms. Digital screens for real-time arrival information, updated service information and advertising will be installed. Customer amenities include new station art; electronics charging stations built into station furnishings; new platform edges, and new benches and leaning bars.

The station modernization project is part of the Governor’s robust package of enhancements and capital investments to improve reliability, capacity and the customer experience inside stations.  After renovations, the stations will have Wi-Fi and cellular connectivity, intuitive wayfinding, and modern amenities and features that customers will see or use on their daily commutes.

 High-resolution renderings of the station renovations are available here.